Adding the correct tag for VS2015 support in your source.extension.manifest works.

  <VisualStudio Version="14.0">
    <Edition>Pro</Edition>
  </VisualStudio>

Running the extension at the moment in VS2015 😄

Are you planning support for Visual Studio 2019.
Microsoft has implemented a new StartDialog. But i miss a full configurable start page like yours.
Please inform us about your planning.

Thanks a lot
Christian

I recently found extension https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=JanKucera.StartPageOnStartup, which bring back original start page and maybe it is possible to write custom page similar to this extension?

When I configure my solutions in the Favorites area they are not saved. When I reopen VS 2017 they are gone

Title says it all.

After updating BetterStartPage extension to the latest version, it no longer appears when I open VS. Instead, the default (useless) page appears. Reinstalling and closing/opening VS had no effect.

Where can I get the previous version?
Is this a known issue?

VS's StartPage works fine. Customized show error. Attached screenshot

VS2017 is out this plugin should be adapted to the new startpage layout

Import of configuration (export) file from version 1.18 for VS 2017 is not working to version 2.0.0 (preview) for VS 2019.

---------------------------
Could not load configuration from 'C:\Directory\startpage.bspc'
---------------------------
Error in line 1 position 159. Expecting element 'SettingsExportViewModel' from namespace 'http://schemas.datacontract.org/2004/07/BetterStartPage.Settings'.. Encountered 'Element'  with name 'SettingsExportViewModel', namespace 'http://schemas.datacontract.org/2004/07/BetterStartPage.Control.Settings'. 

After manual change of namespace, import works.

Delete solution (item on list) button do not work. Clicking do nothing.
Version: Visual Studio 2013 running with standard rights (non elevated), extension 1.10.

There is a crash log when using delete buttons:

Exception Type       : System.NullReferenceException
Exception Message    : Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
Exception Stack Trace:    at BetterStartPage.Control.ViewModel.ProjectGroupsViewModel.DeleteProject(Project project)
   at BetterStartPage.Control.ViewModel.RelayCommand`1.Execute(Object parameter)
   at MS.Internal.Commands.CommandHelpers.CriticalExecuteCommandSource(ICommandSource commandSource, Boolean userInitiated)
   at System.Windows.Controls.Primitives.ButtonBase.OnClick()
   at System.Windows.Controls.Button.OnClick()
   at System.Windows.Controls.Primitives.ButtonBase.OnMouseLeftButtonUp(MouseButtonEventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.OnMouseLeftButtonUpThunk(Object sender, MouseButtonEventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Input.MouseButtonEventArgs.InvokeEventHandler(Delegate genericHandler, Object genericTarget)
   at System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs.InvokeHandler(Delegate handler, Object target)
   at System.Windows.RoutedEventHandlerInfo.InvokeHandler(Object target, RoutedEventArgs routedEventArgs)
   at System.Windows.EventRoute.InvokeHandlersImpl(Object source, RoutedEventArgs args, Boolean reRaised)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.ReRaiseEventAs(DependencyObject sender, RoutedEventArgs args, RoutedEvent newEvent)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.OnMouseUpThunk(Object sender, MouseButtonEventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Input.MouseButtonEventArgs.InvokeEventHandler(Delegate genericHandler, Object genericTarget)
   at System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs.InvokeHandler(Delegate handler, Object target)
   at System.Windows.RoutedEventHandlerInfo.InvokeHandler(Object target, RoutedEventArgs routedEventArgs)
   at System.Windows.EventRoute.InvokeHandlersImpl(Object source, RoutedEventArgs args, Boolean reRaised)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.RaiseEventImpl(DependencyObject sender, RoutedEventArgs args)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.RaiseTrustedEvent(RoutedEventArgs args)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.RaiseEvent(RoutedEventArgs args, Boolean trusted)
   at System.Windows.Input.InputManager.ProcessStagingArea()
   at System.Windows.Input.InputManager.ProcessInput(InputEventArgs input)
   at System.Windows.Input.InputProviderSite.ReportInput(InputReport inputReport)
   at System.Windows.Interop.HwndMouseInputProvider.ReportInput(IntPtr hwnd, InputMode mode, Int32 timestamp, RawMouseActions actions, Int32 x, Int32 y, Int32 wheel)
   at System.Windows.Interop.HwndMouseInputProvider.FilterMessage(IntPtr hwnd, WindowMessage msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
   at System.Windows.Interop.HwndSource.InputFilterMessage(IntPtr hwnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
   at MS.Win32.HwndWrapper.WndProc(IntPtr hwnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
   at MS.Win32.HwndSubclass.DispatcherCallbackOperation(Object o)
   at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.InternalRealCall(Delegate callback, Object args, Int32 numArgs)
   at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.TryCatchWhen(Object source, Delegate callback, Object args, Int32 numArgs, Delegate catchHandler)
Exception Data:
Key: System.Object, Value: [null]

Now groups spread all items evenly, but they (items) should be aligned to top (like before).
Is this a regression because of commit dda9383?
Version: Visual Studio 2013, extension 1.10.

Will there be any VS2022 Support for this? Microsoft apparently is sticking with the new design that is not very good for someone that works on many projects.

An error is encountered when opening a file(text file, project, solution, etc.) that has a space somewhere in the path:

If a Xamarin.Android project is opened using a custom link from the start page (the part that the extension creates), it hangs on open. If the same project is opened from Recent or from the Windows Explorer, it opens perfectly.

If I have time I will try to find it myself and create a pull request.

I would like to have only the favorites you created
is it possible to hide Recent/Open/New Projects from start page?

Thanks a lot

I've been using the brilliant extension the last months in VS2017 but with latest 15.5.0 release, the page does not work anymore. It just shows empty "Getting started" and "Recent" :-(

Hope it is possible to fix

Does not remember configuration from run to run under VS2015. I also have the VS2017 version installed and that works fine. Can't just move to VS2017 because of Silverlight.

Currently if the Groups exceed the screen height the view gets cropped. A global page scrolling solution would be better.

Love this extension. On first startup a few months ago the window was centered on screen. Every time after that the window is off the right and bottom of the screen. I'm using an SB2, Windows 10 1909, Surface Dock and a Samsung UHD 4k TV via HDMI at 3840 x 2160 scaled to 150%.

When I'm trying to upgrade the extension in VS2013 there is this error:

Microsoft Visual Studio

The extension could not be installed because the following error occurred:
The extension 'BetterStartPage' requires a version of the .NET Framework that is not installed.

OK

I have the following versions of VS installed: VS2010, VS2012, VS2013, VS2015 RC

Is there any log-file I can check?

After updating to version 1.14 start page refuse to load with the following exception:

Content Load Error
System.ArgumentException loading "C:\Program fIles (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 14.0\Common7\IDE\Extensions\xfqj5z4g.nxa\StartPage.xaml":

Cannot use absolute URI.

Seems redefining the start page in the Environment > Startup fixes the issue.

I changed the size of my project list from LARGE to SMALL.

When I exit Visual Studio 2019 Enterprise and re-load, it reverts back to LARGE.

If the file that is requested to be opened does not exist, the behavior on opening is a bit strange. BSP should ask whether the item should be deleted or if the user want's to create the file/project/solution.

I was wondering if it would be possible to add vertical scrolling to the start page?

norachuga reported on March,2015:
Any solutions I open via BetterStartPage do not appear in the Recent list. This is a pain, as I frequently open solutions by right-clicking on the VS icon in my taskbar and choosing a recent solution.

Hi,
After a month+- of using BSP, this happened today -
I get a "Visual Studio 2017 stopped working" with a "System.Windows.Markup.XamlParseException" exception.

I uploaded a GIF showing the process and two images of the details.
I think it happened because I added some more solutions yesterday. Maybe it was too much.

Also, is there a way to manually edit the start page outside of VS? I'll try to trim it down and see what happens.

Thanks!

When using a dark theme, it's very difficult to edit the page. I find I have to switch to Light, make my edits, then change back to dark. After completing the edits, it seems to work OK in Dark

Dark

Dark (edit mode)

Light

Light (edit mode)

Does not work since the upgrade to 15.6.1

VS 2019 all versions - despite Tools -> Options -> Startup set to empty environment, I always see BetterStartPage on IDE Startup. This include situation where I am loading a solution on startup having double-clicked the .sln file in explorer.

When I click on any Solution, I get the error "Command allows at most one argument".

I installed the extension, changed the default start page in Startup options and restarted visual studio.

A start page renders that looks as follows. Right-click does not do anything (no context menu to edit):

Definitely configured in options:

Since the recent update better start just shows a blank white page. I can still see my projects in the "Open Favourite" menu.

I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling the extension with no change.

Do I need to delete / reset the config? If so, where can I find it?

I worked all day on this. Hopefully I didn't forget something stupid! My steps to reproduce:

1. Browse to https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=Danielku15.BetterStartPage. Because of "reasons" my work does not allow Visual Studio to directly download extensions. I have to download it from the website and run locally.
2. Problem #1: The file is downloaded as BetterStartPage.zip. That's an easy fix though, just rename to BetterStartPage.vsix.
3. Run BetterStartPage.vsix. Either by doubleclicking or right click and select open with "Microsoft Visual Studio Version Selector"
4. The VSIX installer appears to start installing, but it exits with no warning. The BetterStartPage is not installed.
5. I tried running the VSIX installer as Administrator and it failed with the following:
   4/3/2019 2:25:45 PM - System.ArgumentNullException: Value cannot be null.
   Parameter name: String
   at System.Number.StringToNumber(String str, NumberStyles options, NumberBuffer& number, NumberFormatInfo info, Boolean parseDecimal)
   at System.Number.ParseInt64(String value, NumberStyles options, NumberFormatInfo numfmt)
   at VSIXInstaller.LocationBasedSKU.get_RegRootHiveOverride()
   at VSIXInstaller.SupportedVSSKU.InitializeSettingsManager()
   at VSIXInstaller.SupportedVSSKU.get_Host()
   at VSIXInstaller.SupportedVSSKU.CreateExtensionEngine()
   at System.Lazy1.CreateValue() at System.Lazy1.LazyInitValue()
   at System.Lazy1.get_Value() at VSIXInstaller.App.GetExtensionEngineForApplicableSKU(SupportedVSSKU supportedSKU, IInstallableExtension installableExtension, List1 applicableSKUs, Boolean isRepairSupported)
   at VSIXInstaller.App.TryAddSkuToValidSkuList(SupportedVSSKU supportedSKU, IInstallableExtension extension, List1 validSKUs, Boolean isRepairSupported) 4/3/2019 2:25:45 PM - VSIXInstaller.NoApplicableSKUsException: This extension is not installable on any currently installed products. at VSIXInstaller.App.GetInstallableData(String vsixPath, Boolean isRepairSupported, IEnumerable1& skuData)
   at VSIXInstaller.App.Initialize(Boolean isRepairSupported)
   at VSIXInstaller.App.Initialize()
   at System.Threading.Tasks.Task`1.InnerInvoke()
   at System.Threading.Tasks.Task.Execute()

My System is Windows 10 64bit, running Visual Studio 2017 15.3.5

Add support for VS2010 and VS2012

When using Edit mode with a dark theme, the group name box uses a white background. When paired with a white font set by the theme, the text in the box is unreadable.

Reordering using buttons is quite unhandy. Drag&Drop reordering would be better

In "Edit Mode' I have added new group, where I've given that group a name.

From Windows Explorer, I drag a .sln file over to Visual Studio and drop it over the name of the group (in the textbox itself). Nothing happens.

I noticed that when I drag the .sln file into Visual Studio, the mouse cursors is a circle with a single diagonal line e.g. 'Unavailable" according to my mouse pointer settings.

It's not clear in the instructions whether I'm doing this right or not.

Cheers.

Maybe I'm missing something, but I have dragged and dropped all of my solution files (.sln) into the BetterStartPage, and when I click on one of them to open a solution, it actually opens the .sln file as if it was a text file rather than opening the solution in the solution explorer as expected.

The start page in 15.6 is not appearing like demonstrated.

My Visual Studio reports several errors when I try to build the source code.

Must have extension when working with multiple projects!

The only very small issue for me is icon appearance on HiDPI display:

Hi Daniel!

I am using Visual Studio 2017 Enterprise build 15.9.22. I installed the BetterStartPage extension and imported my Startup Page file I had exported from another machine. If I exit Visual Studio and reload, all the changes are gone. But if I EDIT one of the entries AFTER importing them, then it retains it.

Steps to reproduce:

Export your Start Page Entries.
Load Visual Studio 2017 on another machine. Install the extension and set it as the Startup Page.
Import the settings exported from machine #1. Immediately Exit Visual Studio.
Re-launch Visual Studio. None of the entries are there.

I prefer sorting my solutions in lexicographical order. When using multiple columns, sorting becomes a bit of a hassle.

Consider solutions A, B, C, D and E. When using one column, you get:

When switching to two columns, you get:

I'd rather have it appear like this:

Of course I can still sort them to appear like that, but when you add a new solution that is to appear somewhere in the middle of the list, it would cause a mess in the sorting again.

Is it possible to add an option, to make the list grow from top to bottom instead of left to right?

After forking this excellent project, I tried to compile the solution, but I got the following build error:

BetterStartPage\BetterStartPage.Control\StartPageBootstrapper.cs(254,44,254,62):
error CS1061: 'UserControl' does not contain a definition for 'FindAncestor' and no extension method 'FindAncestor' accepting a first argument of type 'UserControl' could be found (are you missing a using directive or an assembly reference?)
Build has been canceled.

This is not related to update 15.5, as it was the same in 15.4 (and possibly earlier).

Hi.

When I customize my Project Columns, after exiting Visual Studio and opening again, it's value is always 0 (zero).

Thanks

Hi.

Is it possible to create Tooltip in project link at startpage?
Also, I'd like to suggest a new parameter to show/hide folder path.

Thanks.
Wilsade

in Microsoft Visual Studio Community 2015
Version 14.0.24720.00 Update 1
Microsoft .NET Framework
Version 4.6.01038

recent links dont work